Portable desk

ABSTRACT

A portable, lightweight desk designed for comfortable performance by being simple, compact, and designed to provide easy adjustment to a desirable angular position for the work surface during a task of reading, drawing, or even painting, while pertinent equipment and supplies are available within an enclosed storage space. The portable desk was especially constructed to provide a desk which is available for many tasks while storing pertinent components. The desk will have a trim, sleek, and well-designed appearance. I have particularly constructed the surface of the lower member to be covered with a soft material to be comfortable on the user&#39;s lap. The user may then comfortably read, write, or draw when in a relaxed position. I have found a component of foam plastic efficient in use as a book support to maintain page control. The angle of support is provided by a support member hingedly placed on interior of storage compartment and directed to fit into a stop member on interior surface of upper member at chosen levels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

I have invented and developed a portable desk to provide comfort for a person during performance of various tasks, such as reading, writing, and drawing, along with the ease and efficiency provided by being usable in a relaxing position, and having a convenient storage space readily available for small supplies and equipment.

I have designed a portable, lightweight desk to provide comfortable performance for reading, writing, or painting at a most desirable angle which would be pertinent to each task.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

I had a patent search conducted of my invention, and the following patents were considered to be the most pertinent:

3,980,266 Robert E. Jones Sep. 14, 1976 4,244,632 Gloria G. Molinari Jan. 13, 1981 4,269,381 John F. Harms May 26, 1981 4,552,419 William L. Poole Nov. 12, 1985 4,969,698 Stuart T. Maynard, Jr. Nov. 13, 1990 5,655,651 Michael Lynn Maier Aug. 12, 1997 5,660,117 Helen M. Noble Aug. 26, 1997 6,199,816 Connie S. Case Mar. 13, 2001 6,679,468 Ron-Li Hsu Jan. 20, 2004

Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,266, shows a desk top work support device having a secondary work support holder with a book positioned thereon with its pages held in position by a pair of retaining arms.

Molinari, U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,632, describes a portable desk comprising a closable box-like component in which one side is set at an angle to form a writing surface and is covered with semi-soft material. Further adjustment of an angle for the writing surface is provided by two adjustable rear feet fitted to the bottom of the desk.

Harms, U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,381, describes a portable cook book holder formed of wire segments bent to support an open cook book with end portions of the frame bent to maintain and support an open cook book.

Poole, U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,419, shows a portable mini-desk which includes a padded base to enhance comfort for the user of the mini-desk.

Maynard, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,698, shows a portable desk which has a work surface panel supported over a seated user by means of support compartments which are foldable to the underside of the work surface panel.

Maier, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,651, shows an easel and palette assembly pivotally attached by hinges and a supporting extendible member cooperating with a side brace member to provide angular position of easel and palette, and palette provides a surface for placement of paints by the artist.

Noble, U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,117, describes a portable foldable reading tray resting upon a set of adjustable legs, and a padded fabric bolster member which provides a convenient stop for a book.

Case, U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,816, describes an adjustable storable holder for supporting a book to be read in the open position by means of a transparent panel of a viewing member.

Hsu, U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,468, describes a pen box structure which has the function of a book support shelf which has various sloping angles, and may fold into a compact unit.

None of these patents which I considered most pertinent to my invention actually comprised the objects I was seeking for my invention: a portable desk that is easily and efficiently operable while the user is in a comfortable position, to permit a means to read a book, to write, to sketch or paint, to provide storage space for needed supplies, and, most of all, to accomplish these tasks in a neat manner, so that when closed, will be a very attractive lightweight container that does not exhibit cumbersome components.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

I have designed and developed my invention for the primary purpose of providing a portable desk which may be used easily and conveniently by a person who chooses to maintain a relaxed position while performing any of a variety of tasks.

My invention also provides the object of being adaptable in use for the tasks of reading, writing, drawing, painting, and proper storing of handy equipment and supplies.

Another object of my invention is to provide means for neat placement of the device in a closed condition with no operable components in view. Neatness assures many benefits.

I have further designed my portable desk to provide a desk to be adaptable to rest comfortably upon a user's lap for performing a reading or writing task at a most suitable angle, and to be easily and quickly movable to any angle.

A further object of my invention is to provide a portable desk which will include means to easily maintain pages of a book while being read.

Another object of my invention is to provide a versatile study aid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When I first thought of my invention, I envisioned a device which could provide a person with a more comfortable means for accomplishing various art tasks, as well as providing the opportunity to read within a relaxed environment.

As a graphic/designer/illustrator, I found it usually necessary to spend long hours leaning over a drawing table. I felt that many of the smaller tasks involved could be accomplished while working in a more comfortable position. I was also very much aware of the creative advantage to be gained by working at ease. This is especially true with the various stages of planning and idea development. I needed a means to facilitate many elements of my work. For designing, drawing, sketching, painting, writing, and research reading, I needed a way to simplify it all.

I finally developed a small, portable desk device which comprises two flat members hingedly connected to form a storage space between them, and the lower member has a cover of soft material thereon to provide for comfortable resting upon a user's lap, and the two members having a long, flexible tubular member positioned along a hinged side to form a book support with the ability to maintain the book pages.

My object has been to create a device which would be simple in design yet capable of numerous uses. By providing for a selection of angle adjustments, the top member of my desk, which I also refer to as a desk/easel, may be utilized in multiple ways. For each operation: writing, drawing, sketching, or painting, there is an appropriate angle for the top member.

For reading, the top member will be easily adjusted at a desirable angle while being firmly supported upon a tubular member or bolster at the lower side of the top member. This will enable a user to enjoy reading a book without having to hold the book. Both the shape and the material composing the bolster provide a means for reliable control and turning of book pages.

As a book support, this desk/easel will enable anyone to read while in a relaxed position. For a disabled person, or patient confined to bedrest, it is particularly helpful and comfortable to use. For other objects of my invention, it is trim and sleek in appearance, and, as it is compact and lightweight, it may be easily carried, and can be used anywhere.

My combination desk/easel, a bookstand, is designed for people of all ages and of all interests. It is a versatile study aid for students. It is for artists, writers, and engineers. It is for anyone desiring a more comfortable way to read books.

I have designed my desk/easel for the primary object of providing a convenient utility device which is easily adaptable for use in the performance of numerous activities.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable desk according to my invention showing the desk partially open by means of a support member and a view of the inner portion and storage compartment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portable desk according to my invention showing a lockable side of the desk and a book support component on a hinged side.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portable desk according to my invention showing a desk in an open position to show a book support component in control of book pages.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of a portable desk according to my invention to show the appearance from the rear when closed and locked.

FIG. 5 is an underside view of a top member of a portable desk according to my invention to show a set of stop members and a hinge secured on said top member.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of lower components of a portable desk according to my invention to show clearly the position and structure of angular adjustment components within a lower member as the various components are in position for assemblage.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are side elevational views of similar portable desk devices according to my invention to show possible angular positions which are achievable for my desk.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF MY INVENTION

In FIG. 1 I show a perspective view of a portable desk/easel 10, generally, according to my invention, in which a first member, or top member 12, is attached to a second member, or base member 14. Top member 12 is shown in one manner of a slanting position relative to base member 14 by a support member 16 within a storage space of a compartment 18, which is formed by the structure of narrow walls 20 positioned around the edges of base member 14.

Preferably, top member 12 comprises a rectangularly configured arrangement in conjunction with a rectangularly configured member 22 of base member 14 for the enhancement of light weight for my desk/easel, by which a component of soft material 24 further provides comfort while the desk/easel 10 is resting upon the user's lap.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the structure of the various support members and stop members which cooperate to provide the various angular positions shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9.

At one side of desk/easel 10 I have positioned a flexible secondary support member, or bolster 26, generally, along a particular portion of wall 20 adjacent a hinge securing top member 12 to base member 14.

I have designed secondary support member, or bolster 26, of suitable flexible material to be of a size to perform most conveniently the task of significant advantage to the user while reading a book, by providing adequate support for a book and good control to pages of a book because of giving slight resistance to the pages of the book to prevent unruly turning.

In FIG. 2 I show my desk/easel 10 in a closed condition. I want to have a desk/easel that is light weight and thin so that it will be very easy to carry. I particularly show in FIG. 2 a pair of fasteners 32, generally, placed on an operable side of my desk/easel. These comprise a key on one side and a receptor on the other side.

In FIG. 3 I show a perspective view of my desk/easel 10 as it would appear in an inclined position when supporting a book 28 with the book pages 30 slightly touching a flexible bolster 26. In this construction I finally found an adequate means of cooperation with the other components to provide a device for easily and safely supporting a book 28 on the angularly adjustable top member 12 as it would be placed at a comfortable reading angle as preferred by the user in relation to the relaxed position the user has chosen.

As I eventually determined, I found that the book pages may be held in sufficient control by slight rubbing against the surface of the bolster 26.

As I discovered, bolster 26 simply has a surface that will provide a suitable means of control for the pages of a book. The surface of bolster 26 is soft, flexible, and capable of presenting a miniscule amount of deterring material lightly against the lower edge of book pages. I found that a component of plastic foam was most convenient for this purpose. Other materials, if being considered for such deterring tasks, such as stringy fabrics, are not as useful.

FIG. 4 shows my desk/easel 10 by a front elevational view as it would appear in a closed condition to emphasize the trim and sleek appearance it has in order to be easy to handle.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a top member 12 primarily to show one set of stop members, 34, 36, and 38 in placement against the inner surface of top member 12 to provide a choice for angular adjustment of top member 12, by the positioning of an end of a chosen support member, as described in FIG. 6, against a stop component 40.

In FIG. 5 I also show a long hinge 42 which provides secure positioning for connecting top member 12 to an inner wall portion 20 of the base member 14.

In FIG. 6 I show an exploded view of several components of my desk/easel 10 as they would be moving toward a proper position of assembly so that the position and structure of the various components could be clearly indicated. Dotted lines show the direction of movement for the assemblage to be made.

Hinged support members 16 and 17, generally, are secured to an inner wall 44 which is placed at a chosen place in base member 14, generally, for most convenient angular adjustment by action of support members 16 and 17 against a stop component 40 for a chosen angle of slant.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 indicate three of the angular positions that may be chosen by components described in the instant views.

Although my invention has been described in detail, it is to be understood that the enclosed description is merely to be taken as illustrative and explanatory of the invention, and that many various examples may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. 

I Claim: 1-8. (canceled)
 9. A portable desk, comprising: A base member having a flat lower surface and wall members positioned around edge of base member forming a storage space, and A book support member having hinged connection to a side of said base member, and being adaptable for angular adjustment in relation to said base member, and A secondary support member of tubular shape of flexible plastic foam lengthably positioned along said hinged side of base member to provide a means of adequate support for a book in place on said book support and to provide a miniscule amount of deterring material lightly against a lower edge of a book when a book is positioned upon said book support member, and Fastening means securably attachable to a side opposite said secondary book support member, and A cover of soft material on lower surface of said base member to provide comfort for a user.
 10. A portable desk as described in claim 9, wherein: Said angular adjustment means comprises an adjustment member positioned within said storage space comprising a rotatably positionable support member positioned on one flat surface and a stop member cooperatively positioned on an opposite flat member.
 11. A portable desk, as described in claim 10, wherein: Said angular adjustment means may have support members of different lengths.
 12. A portable desk, as described in claim 11, wherein: Said angular adjustment means may have stop members at proper cooperative positions.
 13. A portable desk, comprising: A flat base member having wall members around sides forming a storage space therein, A flat top member which serves as a writing or easel and is hingedly connectible to said base member to provide top means for said storage space, and A bolster of flexible plastic foam material positioned along a side adjacent said hinged connection to provide slight control as needed for a writing or painting task, and Fastening means positionable on said side opposite said hinged connection comprising a key on one member and a receptor in cooperative position on other member, and A thin cover of soft material covering surface of base member to provide comfort for a user.
 14. A portable desk, as described on claim 13, wherein: Said desk includes angular adjustment means positioned within said storage space comprising a rotatable positionable support member positioned on one flat member and a stop member cooperatively positioned on an opposite flat member.
 15. A portable desk, as described in claim 14, wherein: Said angular adjustment means may have support members of different lengths.
 16. A portable desk as described in claim 15, wherein: A portable desk as described in claim 15, wherein: Said angular adjustment means may have stopr members at proper cooperative positions.
 17. A portable desk or easel comprising: A flat base member having wall members positioned around edge of base member forming a storage space, and A book support member having hinged connection to a side of said base member, and being adaptable for angular adjustment in relation to said base member, and A bolster of flexible plastic foam material positioned along a side adjacent said hinged connection to provide adequate support for a book in place on said book support and to provide a miniscule amount of deterring material lightly against a lower edge of a book page when a book is positioned upon said book support, and Fastening means positioned on a side opposite said hinged connection providing secure closure of device comprising a key on one member and a receptor on a cooperative member, and A cover of soft material covering said lower surface of base member to provide comfort for a used.
 18. A desk or easel as described in claim 17, wherein: Said desk or easel includes angular adjustment means positioned within said storage space comprising a rotatably positionable support member positioned on one flat member, and a stop member cooperatively positioned on an opposite flat member,
 19. A desk or easel as described in claim 18, wherein: Said angular adjustment means may have support members of different lengths.
 20. A desk or easel as described in claim 19, wherein: Said angular adjustment means may have stop members at cooperative positions. 